A barrel bomb is a type of improvised explosive device used extensively by the Syrian Air Force during the Syrian civil war. They are usually made from a barrel that has been filled with high explosives, along with shrapnel and/or oil. In Syria, they are typically dropped from a helicopter. [1] Due to the large amount of explosives that can be packed into a barrel the resulting detonation can be devastating. [2] [3] The Syrian military often dropped these bombs in civilian areas leading to multiple civilian deaths. The BBC reported that between January 2014 and May 2015, only 1% of those killed by barrel bombs were rebel fighters. [4] By the end of 2017, over 97% of barrel bomb deaths were civilians, and more than 25% were children. [5] [6] According to the UK-based Syrian Network for Human Rights, since the start of the war through to December 2017, at least 68,334 barrel bombs have been used. [7]
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Notably, on 28 November 2014, a huge explosion occurred at the Syrian military airbase outside Hama. This was attributed to the complete destruction of the entire barrel-bomb making building on the airfield. [132]
In late January, the Syrian air force stepped up its daily airstrikes, including hundreds of barrel bombs, [136] after poor weather conditions earlier in the month restricted its movements. [137]
In July 2017, at least 244 barrel bombs were dropped in Syria, mostly in Daraa Governorate and other de-escalation zones. [296]
In August 2017, at least 92 barrel bombs were dropped in Syria, mostly in Hama Governorate, followed by Damascus and then Homs Governorate. [297]
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